# In My Humble Opinion **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/in-my-humble-opinion/14.md?page=1192 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 1193 --- ## ["Thats" isn't a word?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thats-isnt-a-word/674085)
**Author:** [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Replies:** 37\ **Last updated:** [November 18, 2013, 3:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thats-isnt-a-word/674085 "2013-11-18T15:29:29Z")
I always thought it was. I thought it was the equivalent of whose for something that was inanimate. (And I’m not talking about that’s, which is a contraction of that is.) For example: It’s dangerous to drive a car thats… --- ## [Magnetics experts, please chime in...](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/magnetics-experts-please-chime-in/674013)
**Author:** [@Grestarian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Grestarian)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [November 18, 2013, 11:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/magnetics-experts-please-chime-in/674013 "2013-11-18T11:36:34Z")
This is not so much a request for your humble opinion as for your experience or theoretical expertise. I’m posting this here mainly because it’s one of the three fora that I regularly read and I don’t think it quite fit… --- ## [Why don't more people use health insurance brokers ?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-dont-more-people-use-health-insurance-brokers/674092)
**Author:** [@1step4word](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/1step4word)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [November 18, 2013, 11:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-dont-more-people-use-health-insurance-brokers/674092 "2013-11-18T11:14:21Z")
I was one the people to get the letter from my health insurance company telling me my policy was getting cancelled. I went to Healthcare.gov a couple times, and had the same problems many people have had. Then I realized… --- ## [What do you shower with, if not soap?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-shower-with-if-not-soap/673821)
**Author:** [@Tim\_R.Mortiss](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tim_R.Mortiss)\ **Replies:** 80\ **Last updated:** [November 18, 2013, 9:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-shower-with-if-not-soap/673821 "2013-11-18T09:27:35Z")
My girlfriend thinks I’m a dinosaur because I shower with a bar of Ivory soap (after all, it’s 99 44/100% pure!). I can’t even tell you what she uses; her 90% of the shower caddy is filled with enough lotions and potions… --- ## [Police and Firemen as heroes](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/police-and-firemen-as-heroes/673790)
**Author:** [@Zago](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zago)\ **Replies:** 38\ **Last updated:** [November 18, 2013, 6:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/police-and-firemen-as-heroes/673790 "2013-11-18T06:32:46Z")
All of us know that our police and firemen have performed heroic acts. 9/11 drove this home for us. I have a few friends who are cops/firefighters and I’m grateful for their service. Having said that - I think that 9/… --- ## [Question about ethics in the workplace](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-about-ethics-in-the-workplace/673965)
**Author:** [@moejoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/moejoe)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [November 18, 2013, 6:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-about-ethics-in-the-workplace/673965 "2013-11-18T06:29:03Z")
A position has opened in my department that looks pretty great and I’m thinking of applying for it. If I got it I would still be working in the same office space around the same people, but my specific work group would c… --- ## [I'm in Indianapolis, there may be tornadoes about](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-in-indianapolis-there-may-be-tornadoes-about/674141)
**Author:** [@Frylock](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frylock)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [November 18, 2013, 5:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-in-indianapolis-there-may-be-tornadoes-about/674141 "2013-11-18T05:21:53Z")
I don’t know what the signs are that I’m supposed to get my family all crouching in the bathroom. Please advise. --- ## [The word "bully" ......](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-word-bully/674119)
**Author:** [@What\_the](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_the)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [November 18, 2013, 3:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-word-bully/674119 "2013-11-18T03:37:31Z")
… how has it evolved recently (or not so recently)? Back in the day we had the “neighborhood bully” and the “schoolyard bully”. It was generally a physical situation rather than mental but being scared of getting beat … --- ## [What's the winning ebay strategy?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-winning-ebay-strategy/672633)
**Author:** [@Superhal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Superhal)\ **Replies:** 29\ **Last updated:** [November 18, 2013, 1:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-winning-ebay-strategy/672633 "2013-11-18T01:07:50Z")
I’ve done a lot of online auctions, but I’m a newbie at ebay. What’s my best strategy to get the best buy prices? I put in a bunch of buys with auto bids at my max, but I feel this isn’t an optimal strategy. Also, I put … --- ## [What if sex wasn't so fun?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-if-sex-wasnt-so-fun/674015)
**Author:** [@turtlescanfly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/turtlescanfly)\ **Replies:** 50\ **Last updated:** [November 17, 2013, 11:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-if-sex-wasnt-so-fun/674015 "2013-11-17T23:44:03Z")
HYPOTHETICAL QUESTION: What if suddenly every human being on the planet lost the ability to derive pleasure from sex? Assume this means all forms of sexual gratification (hetero-, homo-, masturbation, anal, oral… plus a… --- ## [New Tropical Fish](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-tropical-fish/674101)
**Author:** [@Jinx](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jinx)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [November 17, 2013, 11:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-tropical-fish/674101 "2013-11-17T23:09:28Z")
I just bought some new tropical fish to restock my aquarium. The new fish are isolated in a “hospital tank” until I am confident they are healthy and won’t contaminate my main tank. Anyway, it’s been awhile since I’ve … --- ## [How can someone get honest feedback on a novel they've written?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-someone-get-honest-feedback-on-a-novel-theyve-written/673885)
**Author:** [@maikai](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/maikai)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [November 17, 2013, 10:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-someone-get-honest-feedback-on-a-novel-theyve-written/673885 "2013-11-17T22:09:36Z")
My father is retired and wants to be a published writer. He has been submitting things to literary agents and getting nowhere. His biggest frustration, besides not getting published, is that he doesn’t no why he’s gettin… --- ## [Is this photographer encouraging this young elk to challenge him?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-this-photographer-encouraging-this-young-elk-to-challenge-him/674138)
**Author:** [@astro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astro)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [November 17, 2013, 10:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-this-photographer-encouraging-this-young-elk-to-challenge-him/674138 "2013-11-17T22:00:04Z")
Re these pics and this video. I’m not clear on why he didn’t just stand up vs staying in the head down position or roll away. Also why is that car just sitting there for the entire showdown? This guy could have lost an… --- ## [How easy is it for you do read the following "simplified spelling" text?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-easy-is-it-for-you-do-read-the-following-simplified-spelling-text/673866)
**Author:** [@Polerius](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Polerius)\ **Replies:** 55\ **Last updated:** [November 17, 2013, 9:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-easy-is-it-for-you-do-read-the-following-simplified-spelling-text/673866 "2013-11-17T21:48:04Z")
I took some text from a CNN article and applied some spelling transformations to make it follow phonetic rules. After trying to read the above quote: \[ol\] \[li\]How easy is it to understand what the text is saying?\[/li… --- ## [Mayor Ford & the media](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mayor-ford-the-media/674120)
**Author:** [@Iamnotivan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Iamnotivan)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [November 17, 2013, 7:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mayor-ford-the-media/674120 "2013-11-17T19:37:16Z")
I have just completed reading Tony Blair’s bio, in which he complains a lot about the media. He said that if there is the slightest hint of some scandal or failure, you cannot get the media to focus on your policy objec… --- ## [Going grey, salt and pepper style.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/going-grey-salt-and-pepper-style/674105)
**Author:** [@kambuckta](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kambuckta)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [November 17, 2013, 6:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/going-grey-salt-and-pepper-style/674105 "2013-11-17T18:48:14Z")
Yeah, getting old and going grey, but it’s going just one hair at a time. So at the moment, whilst I’m still predominantly brunette, there’s white ones trying to invade…just very very slowly. And it’s not the gorgeous … --- ## [What is the most subjectively unpleasant mental illness](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-most-subjectively-unpleasant-mental-illness/673915)
**Author:** [@Wesley\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wesley_Clark)\ **Replies:** 31\ **Last updated:** [November 17, 2013, 6:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-most-subjectively-unpleasant-mental-illness/673915 "2013-11-17T18:32:56Z")
I don’t know if this can be quantified. Is crippling depression worse than bpd or ptsd disorders? Addiction seems unpleasant because you can lose a lot of things (money, friends, dignity) but at least you can self medica… --- ## [When painting with a BROAD BRUSH, do you think of Catholics as leaning Right or leaning Left?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-painting-with-a-broad-brush-do-you-think-of-catholics-as-leaning-right-or-leaning-left/673999)
**Author:** [@bienville](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bienville)\ **Replies:** 51\ **Last updated:** [November 17, 2013, 10:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-painting-with-a-broad-brush-do-you-think-of-catholics-as-leaning-right-or-leaning-left/673999 "2013-11-17T10:10:54Z")
I’m looking for your general impression, so no need to worry about hedging or qualifying your answer. Since we’d need an especially broad brush to address the global population of Catholics, feel free to limit your broa… --- ## [An elderly person, a person on crutches, and a pregnant woman all get onto the train...](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/an-elderly-person-a-person-on-crutches-and-a-pregnant-woman-all-get-onto-the-train/672710)
**Author:** [@TashaKitty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TashaKitty)\ **Replies:** 71\ **Last updated:** [November 17, 2013, 8:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/an-elderly-person-a-person-on-crutches-and-a-pregnant-woman-all-get-onto-the-train/672710 "2013-11-17T08:05:18Z")
The train is packed but you have a seat. Which of the three do you give your seat to? --- ## [New Business Startup Questions](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-business-startup-questions/673827)
**Author:** [@UltraVires](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/UltraVires)\ **Replies:** 27\ **Last updated:** [November 17, 2013, 3:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-business-startup-questions/673827 "2013-11-17T03:09:50Z")
So, I’ve decided to hang my own shingle and be a solo practitioner (lawyer). I know all of the perils, snares, pitfalls, and hidden traps involved with that, and will probably start another thread very soon to discuss t… --- ## ["Thru" is not a word](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thru-is-not-a-word/673734)
**Author:** [@Bozuit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bozuit)\ **Replies:** 78\ **Last updated:** [November 17, 2013, 12:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thru-is-not-a-word/673734 "2013-11-17T00:20:10Z")
I notice this spelling fairly often, including on this message board, by people who seem to be making every effort to write well. Every other word is spelt correctly, but then this “thru” spelling shows up like a big tur… --- ## [Guitar Players – Rocksmith – Yeah or Nay?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guitar-players-rocksmith-yeah-or-nay/673779)
**Author:** [@zoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/zoid)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [November 17, 2013, 12:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guitar-players-rocksmith-yeah-or-nay/673779 "2013-11-17T00:00:13Z")
I have to say I’m really pumped about a program/game that lets me use a real guitar. The real drawback I see is that it doesn’t teach you to read notes or tabs(?). I’m not even sure what tabs are but apparently it ha… --- ## [What's the best way to peel a hard-boiled egg?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-best-way-to-peel-a-hard-boiled-egg/674001)
**Author:** [@Roderick\_Femm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Roderick_Femm)\ **Replies:** 34\ **Last updated:** [November 16, 2013, 10:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-best-way-to-peel-a-hard-boiled-egg/674001 "2013-11-16T22:42:41Z")
I don’t think I’ve ever seen a thread on this. I thought about doing a poll, but the options are too diverse. How often do you peel hard-boiled eggs? Do you crack the whole egg, or just one spot to get started? If you… --- ## [Water disappearing from small fountain](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/water-disappearing-from-small-fountain/674031)
**Author:** [@ThelmaLou](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ThelmaLou)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [November 16, 2013, 9:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/water-disappearing-from-small-fountain/674031 "2013-11-16T21:59:18Z")
I have a very small urban backyard. I have a small fountainin the yard with a recirculating pump. I’ve lived here almost a year and the fountain is one of the first things I set up. \*Background which may not be relevant… --- ## [What internet domain extensions are most desireable?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-internet-domain-extensions-are-most-desireable/673855)
**Author:** [@Munch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Munch)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [November 16, 2013, 6:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-internet-domain-extensions-are-most-desireable/673855 "2013-11-16T18:42:29Z")
So let’s say I wanted to buy a website domain name (let’s say for setting up family servers and email domains), and my preferred .com is already taken. Of the remaining choices, how do you rank the following? .me .co … --- ## [Hiking shoe recommendations](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hiking-shoe-recommendations/673207)
**Author:** [@Larry\_Borgia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Larry_Borgia)\ **Replies:** 21\ **Last updated:** [November 16, 2013, 5:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hiking-shoe-recommendations/673207 "2013-11-16T17:58:24Z")
Hey. I’m trying to get back into the outdoors and would really appreciate some recommendations for the best sort of shoe or boot for general trail hiking. I went on a hike in the Shenandoah with my regular sneakers and … --- ## [Questions about recovering from hip replacement surgery](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/questions-about-recovering-from-hip-replacement-surgery/673796)
**Author:** [@Postariti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Postariti)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [November 16, 2013, 5:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/questions-about-recovering-from-hip-replacement-surgery/673796 "2013-11-16T17:37:14Z")
My mother is 71 and will be getting hip replacement surgery after the holidays. She’s worried and I would like to reassure her. My father won’t be able to help her get out of bed or out of her chair. She’s really wo… --- ## [Most ungodly place you've ever had a pimple? (TMI thread)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-ungodly-place-youve-ever-had-a-pimple-tmi-thread/673022)
**Author:** [@TashaKitty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TashaKitty)\ **Replies:** 123\ **Last updated:** [November 16, 2013, 12:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-ungodly-place-youve-ever-had-a-pimple-tmi-thread/673022 "2013-11-16T12:00:17Z")
I thought that butt cheek pimples were the worst until this morning I discovered one on the inside of my labia majora. I first noticed it this morning in the shower when I was scrubbing down under. It’s so big I can ro… --- ## [Virgin Mobile - Samsung Reverb or Ring?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/virgin-mobile-samsung-reverb-or-ring/674029)
**Author:** [@Frank](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frank)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [November 16, 2013, 6:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/virgin-mobile-samsung-reverb-or-ring/674029 "2013-11-16T06:53:39Z")
I guess I’m about ready to take my first baby steps into the smartphone world. I’ve been with Virgin Mobile’s pay as I go plan for about 5 years, and I’m content with the equipment and service I’ve had, so I’d like to st… --- ## [What was I seeing here (bicycle chained to "No Parking" sign)?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-was-i-seeing-here-bicycle-chained-to-no-parking-sign/674035)
**Author:** [@kaylasdad99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kaylasdad99)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [November 16, 2013, 5:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-was-i-seeing-here-bicycle-chained-to-no-parking-sign/674035 "2013-11-16T05:31:57Z")
This morning, after I dropped my daughter off at school, the traffic was heavy enough to demand that I try to get home on right turns only. This placed me on a fairly high-use street that I don’t drive on that often (by … [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/in-my-humble-opinion/14.md?page=1191) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/in-my-humble-opinion/14.md?page=1193)